Giordano’s Famous Stuffed Pizza kicks off partnership with Chicago Fire Soccer Club

CHICAGO – March 19, 2014 – Giordano’s Famous Stuffed Pizza and the Chicago Fire Soccer Club are excited to announce Giordano’s as the new exclusive and official pizza of the Fire. To “kick” things off, the organizations will celebrate with a pizza party today for Chicago Fire Department firefighters of Engine 42 at 55 W. Illinois in Chicago.

Both Giordano’s and the Fire are well-known across the city and surrounding suburbs for delivering fun to families, and are committed to providing memorable experiences to their passionate supporters and winning over new fans, as well. The Fire’s 2014 season home opener on March 23, presented by Giordano’s, marks the beginning of many exciting integrations and promotions between the collaborating brands.

“Giordano’s and the Chicago Fire are united by a commitment to hospitality,” said Giordano’s CEO Yorgo Koutsogiorgas. “We both enjoy creating a vibrant energy and environment and serving people of all ages. From families and young adults to lifelong soccer fans, Giordano’s and the Chicago Fire look forward to bringing customers back for more, week after week, all year round.”

Through the partnership, both Giordano’s and the Fire aim to expand awareness of their brands and fully assume their roles as leaders in their respective categories, with the shared goal of making an impact on the city and owning the soccer conversation in Chicago.

“Chicago is known for its deep-dish pizza and sports, so it makes perfect sense for Giordano's and the Fire to partner up,” said Chicago Fire Chief Operating Officer Atul Khosla. “We couldn’t be more excited and are looking forward to working together to deliver an exciting and authentic soccer experience for our fans.”

To jumpstart the partnership, Giordano’s and the Fire are delivering pizzas today to Chicago Fire Department firefighters across downtown Chicago as a small token of appreciation for the city’s first responders and their brave work and sacrifice to keep the community safe. Sparky, the Fire’s Dalmatian mascot, will lead the effort.

Additionally, Giordano’s announced that restaurant locations across the city will run a promotion: Any person who orders a pizza at participating Giordano’s restaurants between March 19 and 22 will be entered to win a Giordano’s- and Fire-branded soccer ball and two tickets to the season opener.

Giordano’s is looking forward to joining the party that is thrown by the Club on game days at Toyota Park. Its signature deep-dish pizza will be available to Fire fans at the home opener on March 23 via the Giordano’s Food Truck during FireFest – Chicago Fire’s interactive pre-game festival. The Food Truck will return to Toyota Park throughout the season at select games.

Another focal point of the partnership is that Giordano’s will be the presenting sponsor of an upcoming locally broadcast, regular season Fire home game. The agreement includes brand visibility on printed and digital platforms, recognition in Fire commercial spots leading up to the game, logo projection on the video board clock-wrap for the entire match, sponsorship of the halftime t-shirt toss, and pre-game ceremony participation. Giordano’s also will deliver pizza to a lucky row in the stadium that day.

Per the terms of the partnership, the Chicago Fire will advertise Giordano’s in many ways – on LED screens, in social media, on the Club’s website, in printed collateral and distributed coupon books, in agreed-upon promotions, and through visibility during FireFest.

Additionally, Giordano’s will be a supporting sponsor of the Chicago Fire Rec Soccer League, receiving branding on select league collateral, the right to distribute coupon offerings to league participants, and field branding at the Chicago Fire Soccer Center, the Club’s new practice and training facility set to open in Roscoe Village this summer.

The Chicago Fire announcement is part of a series of recent Giordano’s business developments, which have included a menu refresh, the launch of a Giordano’s food truck, the opening of the 41st Chicagoland location in the South Loop, and a partnership with the Chicago Cubs. Additional expansion plans will be announced later this year.

The Giordano’s brand and its famous stuffed pizza recipes are owned and managed by Victory Park Capital, a Chicago-based asset-management firm committed to the community, and whose continued investments in Giordano’s have repositioned the company as an iconic brand for generations to come.